Barnes spoke in Jackson's defence at his 2005 molestation trial. Dimond's book recounts his exact testimony. When asked if Jackson had ever molested him, Barnes responded emphatically: "Absolutely not. And I can tell you right now that if he had, I wouldn't be here right now."
The prosecution continued, asking him whether Jackson had had any sexual contact with him. Again, Barnes answered, "Never. I wouldn't stand for it." When asked for his thoughts on being named as someone who had been molested by Jackson, Barnes denied the allegations again.
"Yes, I am [aware of being named]. And I'm very mad about that, because it's untrue, and they're putting my name through the dirt. And I'm really, really not happy about it."